Two JCRC-NY BridgesNY Fellows Elected to New York State Legislature

NEW YORK, NY (11/04/2026) (readMedia)-- The Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY) celebrates a historic milestone as Dr. Larry He and Pesach Osina, both alumni of its 2025 BridgesNY Fellowship, become the first graduates of the program elected to the New York State Legislature.

Their victories represent a proud moment for BridgesNY, one of JCRC-NY's flagship initiatives dedicated to cultivating the next generation of civic leaders, deepening understanding of Jewish identity and New York's diverse communities, and building meaningful relationships across religious, cultural and ethnic lines.

"This is a historic and deeply meaningful moment for JCRC-NY and our entire BridgesNY family," said Mark Treyger, CEO of JCRC-NY. "Larry and Pesach entered our fellowship from different backgrounds but shared a commitment to public service, understanding one another and bringing communities together. Now, they are making history together. At a time when division and hate too often dominate our public discourse, their achievements remind us that building bridges is not simply an aspiration. It is an investment in the future of our democracy and the next generation of leaders. We have always believed that Jewish New Yorkers are safer when all New Yorkers are safe, supported and respected. BridgesNY puts that belief into action, and this milestone demonstrates why that work matters."

Dr. Larry He, elected to represent Brooklyn's 17th Senate District, brings a record of community advocacy and public service as Chief of Staff to Assembly Member William Colton and Democratic District Leader. The district, established in 2022 as Brooklyn's first majority-Asian State Senate district, is home to diverse Asian American, Jewish and immigrant communities. His campaign reflected the importance of engaging communities across cultural and neighborhood lines. During the fellowship's educational journey to Poland, including Auschwitz, He explored Jewish history, identity and the devastating consequences of unchecked hatred.

Pesach Osina, elected to represent Queens' 23rd Assembly District, is an Orthodox Jewish community leader and longtime public servant with more than two decades of experience in government and civic engagement. A Far Rockaway resident who served in the New York City Council Speaker's Office, Osina built his career around community service and relationship-building. His fellow BridgesNY alumni also contributed to his campaign's community outreach, reflecting the enduring relationships fostered through the program.

He and Osina were members of the same 2025 BridgesNY cohort, joining 14 other emerging leaders for a year of dialogue, leadership development, coalition-building and shared experiences designed to deepen understanding and bridge divides.

"This is a victory for the enduring value of bridge-building," Treyger added. "Congratulations to Larry and Pesach, our extraordinary BridgesNY team, and every fellow and alumnus who has helped build this remarkable community. We are especially grateful to UJA-Federation of New York and Bloomberg Philanthropies, whose generous support makes this important work possible. Their investment is helping cultivate leaders who understand that our greatest strength comes not from what divides us, but from what brings us together."

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About BridgesNY: BridgesNY is a flagship leadership fellowship of JCRC-NY that brings together emerging civic leaders from New York City's diverse communities to foster mutual understanding, strengthen leadership skills and build lasting cross-community relationships. Through dialogue, mentorship, experiential learning and civic engagement, the program helps prepare leaders to advance a more inclusive, connected and resilient New York.

About JCRC-NY: JCRC-NY, a proud UJA-Federation of NY agency, serves as the primary community relations agency for the Jewish community in the metropolitan New York area. As an active force in New York civic and communal life, JCRC-NY operates as a central coordinating and resource body with a mission to build relationships to advance the values, interests, and security of the Jewish community and to create a more interconnected New York for all.